ONE STEP UP

Album version

Woke up this morning, the house was cold
Checked out the furnace, she wasn't burning
Went out and hopped in my old Ford
Hit the engine but she ain't turning
We've given each other some hard lessons lately
We ain't learning
We're the same sad story, that's a fact
One step up and two steps back

Bird on a wire outside my motel room
But he ain't singing
Girl in white outside a church in June
But the church bells ain't ringing
I'm sitting here in this bar tonight
But all I'm thinking
Is I'm the same old story, same old act
One step up and two steps back

It's the same thing night on night
Who's wrong baby who's right
Another fight and I slam the door
On another battle in our dirty little war
When I look at myself I don't see
The man I wanted to be
Somewhere 'long the line I slipped off track
I'm caught moving one step up and two steps back

There's a girl across the bar
I get the message she's sending
Hmm she ain't looking too married
Me well honey I'm pretending
Last night I dreamed I held you in my arms
The music was never ending
We danced as the evening sky faded to black
One step up and two steps back
(One step up and two steps back)
One step up and two steps back
(One step up and two steps back)
One step up and two steps back

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Info

ONE STEP UP is a song written by Bruce Springsteen and released on his 1987 album Tunnel Of Love. The above lyrics are for Bruce Springsteen's album version of ONE STEP UP as released in 1987.

The album version of ONE STEP UP was included on The Essential Bruce Springsteen (2015 edition) compilation album and the Japanese Singles Collection -Greatest Hits- compilation album.

Writing and Recording

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Tunnel Of Love

Tunnel Of Love is Bruce Springsteen's eighth studio album. It was released on 05 Oct 1987 on Columbia Records. It was recorded between January and July 1987 at Thrill Hill East, Springsteen's home studio in Colts Neck, NJ.

Bruce Springsteen -- Tunnel Of Love

The album features 12 tracks and clocks at 46:25. It is produced by produced by Bruce Springsteen, Jon Landau, and Chuck Plotkin.

Music Video

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The music video for ONE STEP UP was included on the Video Anthology / 1978-88 home video and the Japanese Singles Collection -Greatest Hits- compilation album. It was posted on Bruce Springsteen's VEVO YouTube channel in October 2009.

Single Release

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Bruce Springsteen -- One Step Up

7" single - CBS / Sony (05SP 3017) - Japan, 1988

Comes with a picture insert. Promotional copies are identical to the commercial ones with the exception of "NOT FOR SALE / SAMPLE" (in Japanese) imprint above the catalogue number on the labels.

A1- ONE STEP UP
B1- ROULETTE

Bruce Springsteen -- One Step Up

12" single - CBS (651442 6) - Spain, 1988

A1- ONE STEP UP
B1- ROULETTE

Bruce Springsteen -- If I Should Fall Behind

CD EP - Columbia (658898 2) - Australia, 1992

01- IF I SHOULD FALL BEHIND
02- IF I SHOULD FALL BEHIND [Live 22 Sep 1992 version]
03- ONE STEP UP
04- MEETING ACROSS THE RIVER

Bruce Springsteen -- If I Should Fall Behind

CD EP - Columbia (658898 2) - Europe, 1992

Austrian pressing for the European market.

01- IF I SHOULD FALL BEHIND
02- IF I SHOULD FALL BEHIND [Live 22 Sep 1992 version]
03- ONE STEP UP
04- MEETING ACROSS THE RIVER

Bruce Springsteen -- The Ghost Of Tom Joad

CD EP - Columbia (663031 5) - Austria, 1995

Pressed in Austria for distribution in the UK.

01- THE GHOST OF TOM JOAD
02- MEETING ACROSS THE RIVER
03- ONE STEP UP
04- NEBRASKA

Video Anthology Home Video

Video Anthology / 1978-88 is a collection of 18 Bruce Springsteen music videos and concert performances, released on VHS on 31 Jan 1989. The home video was also released on LaserDisc.

Bruce Springsteen -- Video Anthology / 1978-88 (USA VHS cover art)

Bruce Springsteen -- Video Anthology / 1978-88 (USA LaserDisc cover art)

Bruce Springsteen -- Video Anthology / 1978-88 (Japan LaserDisc cover art)

Sonny reissued the video on DVD on 16 Jan 2001. Titled The Complete Video Anthology / 1978-2000, the new expanded release added a second disc with 15 additional music video, concert performances, and television appearances.

Bruce Springsteen -- The Complete Video Anthology / 1978-2000 (DVD cover art)

The Essential Bruce Springsteen

The Essential Bruce Springsteen is a compilation album released as part of Sony BMG'S (previously Sony Music Entertainment) series of "Essential" sets. According to Springsteen's liner notes comments, the collection was intended as an introduction to his music for new fans who attended shows on The Rising Tour.

The collection is fundamentally a 2-disc set (clocking at 153:37) compiling songs from all of Springsteen's studio albums to date plus his Live In New York City release. A 3-disc limited edition (clocking at 201:04) was also released. It includes a bonus third disc comprising of a selection of rarities and previously unreleased recordings.

The Essential Bruce Springsteen was released on 11 Nov 2003 on Columbia Records. It debuted and peaked at #14 on the U.S. Billboard 200 album chart where it spent 13 weeks. It also reached #28 on the UK Albums Chart. The album was awarded certified gold and platinum records by the RIAA on 16 Dec 2003.

Bruce Springsteen -- The Essential Bruce Springsteen (2003 edition)

The Essential Bruce Springsteen was reissued on 16 Oct 2015, this time as a 2-disc set (clocking at 156:25) with an updated track list, compiling songs from all of Springsteen's studio albums to date plus his Greatest Hits (1995 edition) collection. This 2015 reissue features remastered tracks not found in that form on other Springsteen releases.

Bruce Springsteen -- The Essential Bruce Springsteen (2015 edition)

Japanese Singles Collection -Greatest Hits-

Japanese Singles Collection -Greatest Hits- is a Bruce Springsteen compilation album released by Sony Music Japan in 2023. The compilation, which was exclusively released in Japan, consists of previously released 35 audio tracks and 62 video tracks. The collection is part of a 26-title reissue campaign to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Bruce Springsteen's debut album. The series, issued in three waves (25 Oct 2023, 22 Nov 2023, and 20 Dec 2023), includes 25 albums originally released between 1973 and 2014 plus a new compilation album that includes all of Springsteen's singles released in Japan from 1975 to 1999. All audio CD's were manufactured using Sony Japan's Blu-spec CD2 format.

Bruce Springsteen -- Japanese Singles Collection -Greatest Hits-

Other Official Releases

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The album version of ONE STEP UP was included on some promotional samplers and various artists albums.

Various artists -- CBS/Sony Hot Tracks May 1988

CD - CBS / Sony Records (XDDP 93010) - Japan, 1988

Promotional sampler.

Various artists -- Kuschelrock 30

2xCD - Sony Music (88985 31348 2) - Germany, 2016

Other versions of ONE STEP UP were also officially released.

The live 28 Mar 1988 version of ONE STEP UP was released on the Joe Louis Arena, Detroit 1988 official live download in 2020.

The live 23 Apr 1988 version of ONE STEP UP was released on the LA Sports Arena, California 1988 official live download in 2015.

The live 28 Apr 1988 version of ONE STEP UP was released on the Los Angeles, April 1988 official live download in 2021.

The live 23 May 1988 version of ONE STEP UP was released on the Madison Square Garden 1988 official live download in 2019.

The live 31 Jul 2005 version of ONE STEP UP was released on the Schottenstein Center, Ohio 2005 official live download in 2015.

The live 03 Aug 2005 version of ONE STEP UP was released on the Van Andel Arena, Michigan 2005 official live download in 2018.

Live History: on-tour

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Live History: off-tour

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Covers

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At least 13 artists have recorded and released Bruce Springsteen's ONE STEP UP.

Ostbahn-Kurti & Die Chefpartie -- Liagn & Lochn

LP - Amadeo (841 122-1) - Austria, 1989
CD - Amadeo (841 122-2) - Austria, 1989

Includes two Bruce Springsteen covers: FACTORY and ONE STEP UP. ONE STEP UP is a German adaptation titled "A Schritt Vire (Zwa Schritt Zruck)".

Various artists -- For You: A Tribute To Bruce Springsteen

CD - Totem Records (TTM 480499 2) - Italy, 1995

This is a Bruce Springsteen tribute album. ONE STEP UP is performed by Marco Conidi & The Rocking Chairs.

Various artists -- One Step Up / Two Steps Back: The Songs Of Bruce Springsteen

2xCD - The Right Stuff (7243 8 59780 2 9) - USA, 1997
2xCD - EMI (TOCP-50377/8) - Japan, 1997

This is a Bruce Springsteen tribute album. Disc 1 was reissued in 2000 as The Songs Of Bruce Springsteen. ONE STEP UP is performed by Paul Cebar.

Kenny Chesney -- No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems

CD - BNA Records (BNA07863-67038-2) - USA, 2002

Session musicians featuring David West -- Pickin' On Springsteen Volume 2

CD - CMH (CD-8463) - USA, 2003

This is a Bruce Springsteen tribute album.

Various artists -- Light Of Day: A Tribute To Bruce Springsteen

3xCD - Good Sounds / DiscMedi Blau (DM 797-02) - Spain, 2003

This is a Bruce Springsteen tribute album. There are five issues of this album (with three track configurations) and this track was only included on the issue listed above. ONE STEP UP is performed by Sean Collins.

Tom Brooksby -- Brooksby Does Bruce

CD - unknown label (unknown catalog number) - UK, 2009

This is a Bruce Springsteen tribute album.

Various artists -- Play Some Pool, Skip Some School, Act Real Cool: A Global Pop Tribute To Bruce Springsteen

2xCD - Where It's At Is Where You Are (WIACD20) - UK, 2009

This is a Bruce Springsteen tribute album. ONE STEP UP is performed by Jeniferever.

Catch This Beat -- Tribute To Bruce Springsteen

Digital album - Talking Clive (unknown catalog number) - USA, 2012

This is a download-only digital Bruce Springsteen tribute album.

Martyn Joseph -- Tires Rushing By In The Rain

CD - Pipe Records (PRCD023) - UK, 2013

This is a Bruce Springsteen tribute album.

Zerbo -- Never Ending Volume I

CD - no label (no catalog number) - Italy, 2019

This is a Bruce Springsteen tribute album.

Heaven Is Shining -- Born In The USA

Digital album - Rosenklang (unknown catalog number) - Germany, 2021

This is a download-only digital Bruce Springsteen tribute album.

Nigel Hallchurch -- Cross My Heart

CD-R - no label (no catalog number) - UK, 2022

This is a Bruce Springsteen tribute album.

Available Versions

List of available versions of ONE STEP UP on this website:

Page last updated: 08 Dec 2016